More Photos from Dennis Havel

Dennis Havel sent me these photos he has done with his brand new digital SLR. He is especially excited about all the macro possibilities of his lenses. He took the ladybug photo last week during one of Woodland Valley's periodic ladybug infestations. Does anyone out there know why that happens? Send your answer to me here and I will post it.
- Carol

Phoenicia Halloween Parade

I thought you would all enjoy some photos from the 2009 Halloween Parade held this past weekend in Phoenicia on Main Street. As usual, there were some great costumes and a lot of holiday spirit!!

Shandaken Food Pantry

Recently Elizabeth Holland Kern contacted me regarding putting something up on this blog regarding The Shandaken Food Pantry. Here is her message. I think it is important in these hard economic times to support efforts like this in our community. Below are details on how to donate to them or get food if you are in need.

"The Shandaken Food Pantry recently changed its schedule from every Thursday to only the last Thursday of the month, from 10am-12pm. I called Jane Todd, who runs the pantry, and she said its hours were cut due to diminishing funds and contributions. The pantry depends on $2000 per year from the Town Budget, several small fund-raising activities, cash contributions, and food donations. The number of people who visit the Pantry has grown from 7 or 8 people a week in Fall 2008 to 27 or 28 people a week in Fall 2009. Many of those people have families. Jane said “the need is outrageous; it's awful.” She hopes this will be a temporary cutback in services.

If you are in need, you qualify to use the Food Pantry. Jane said they ask about income, but don't require proof. Even people who have an income above poverty level at times qualify for short-term help because of illness in the family that may prevent someone from working.

If you wish to donate money, send a check made out to Shandaken Food Pantry to:
Shandaken Food Pantry
c/o Town Clerk
PO Box 67
Allaben, NY 12480

You can easily drop of a donation of food, etc., at the Methodist Church Hall in Phoenicia. On a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday when the Thrift Shop is open, just go upstairs and leave your donation by the door at the back of the room. Jane suggested that in addition to food, you could donate items that are not covered by Food Stamps: toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, and personal hygene articles such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap.

The Food Pantry is located in Phoenicia and it serves all residents of Shandaken.

- Elizabeth Holland Kern

Thanks Elizabeth for making us aware of this need!

Woodland Valley View turns 2!!!

The Woodland Valley View turns 2 years old!! Thanks to everyone in the valley who has participated in making this blog a great success!! It has exceeded my expectations in every way. I couldn't keep this site without the members of the community that help to provide content. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who sends me history, poetry, current events, photos and all the other things that make this site worth reading. This really is a community effort. Let's keep the fun going and the lines of communication open. Via la Woodland Valley View!!!!!

Fun With New Digital Camera

WCA member Dennis Havel has been having a lot of fun with his brand new digital SLR. Since discovering the amazing capabilities of his new equipment he has been documenting the many wonderful animals and other things right in his own backyard. He sent me these photos today to contribute to the blog. Thanks for sharing your new photography work with us Dennis!!

John Misko Passes

John Misko, Age 93, died September 25, 2009. Born in Passaic NJ and residing in Clifton NJ before retiring. John was a Hose Department Supervisor for Uniroyal in Passaic for 30 years. John was a member of the United Reformed Church, Clifton. He first started fishing in the Phoenicia area and was an avid fly fisherman since his youth and an avid hiker until the early 1990's. John was involved with the Boy Scout Troop 3 for over 40 years and received the Silver Beaver Award for outstanding service. He was a WWII U.S. Navy Veteran having served aboard the Destroyer U.S.S. Charles S. Sperry and obtained rank of Torpedoman Secon Class and received five battle stars. He spent half of his honeymoon in the 1950's in Ray's Cabins. He then purchased a home in the 1960's in Woodland Valley to enjoy with his wife and 3 boys. He also enjoyed many outings with his Boy Scout Troop camping up at the cabin. He was fortunately able to spend time with his grandchildren in the cabin as well. Predeceased by his beloved wife Lorraine Pohler (2004). John is survived by three sons, John Paul Misko and his wife Ann Marie, H. Misko and his wife Kathy, Paul Misko and six grandchildren: Aeriol, Johnny, Pamela, Skylynn, JP Jr. and Loriann. They love him very much and will miss him dearly.

Mike's Favorite Meatloaf

Since we are moving into the cold weather rather quickly this year this recipe sounds like it will both fill the stomach and warm the house. Thanks for sending it to us Bo!!

Boreegard Reconstructs the Old Family Meatloaf

My wife was once the warder and keeper of a medium sized black 3-ring binder full of inexpensive white lined sheets of paper, on which eventually all our early family recipes were written. It was a wonderful hodgepodge of ways to stretch a dollar. You could easily thumb through it and find anything from soup to goulash, to pumpkin pie (both Ed Nuttall’s rum pie and our non-boozy one—oddly, the non-rum one was much nicer), to the mainstay of all American family meals—MEATLOAF.

We had several recipes for meatloaf. My favorite was the one titled MIKE’S FAVORITE MEATLOAF. Go figure.

This venerable compendium eventually collected the stains of use—spatters of butter, drops of gravy, sauces and indiscriminate juices, all long since dried. I always thought of them as honorable proofs of an active kitchen. But the hausfrau of the household was not so sentimental, and noted too that the binding was both cruddy and hanging by a thread. I volunteered to repair it with duct tape, but for some reason that would not do.

Thus began a project to transcribe the holy writ into the mechanical bowels of our computer. Its gut is so deeply mysterious in fact, that we can’t find MIKE’S FAVORITE MEATLOAF, nor any of the rest of them either. Someday we hope to.

But in the meantime, tonight I have put memory to the test, and I give you, as best I can, the reconstructed version of my meatloaf. I vouch that it is very very close to the ancient receipt.

INGREDIENTS

Group A
Half an 8-ounce can of tomato sauce.
One large egg—beaten.
A medium onion—chopped finely.
One cup of bread crumbs.
1-½ pounds of ground beef.
A handful of dried parsley
1 tsp. dried dill weed.
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese.
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper

GROUP B
1-cup beef broth brought to a boil.
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce.
1 tsp. gray poupon mustard.
4 oz. of tomato sauce.
2 tbsp. molasses


TO DO

Combine A. and make into a loaf. Place in an appropriate baking pan or Pyrex dish, and place in a 350-degree oven.

Combine B. and use generously as a basting sauce every 10 or 15 minutes.

Bake for one to one and a half hours.

Let sit for ten or so minutes.

Slice and serve with the mashed potatoes you’ll certainly want as an accompaniment, along with the pan drippings as a gravy.


My favorite. Hope you like too.


Bo aka Mike O'Neil

A Bit of Early Snow

I didn't think that I would have to be posting about the weather again so early in the fall season but it snowed lightly on and off all day yesterday. This morning I woke up to about a quarter of an inch in patches across my property and in the trees. There was none down in town when I was there but higher in the valley it lingered until mid-morning before it all melted. The roads are all perfectly clear. It is overcast now but not snowing. The temperatures have been in the 30's and 40's but are supposed to rise and go back into the 50's by Tuesday next week. As far as I am concerned this is WAY too early for it to be snowing. I hope this is not the first sign of a hard winter to come!!!

Meet the Candidates - October 17th

So, since all of the WCA members are planning to vote in the upcoming November elections, Saturday is your chance to come out and have your questions answered by the candidates. The Mid-Hudson League of Women Voters will be moderating a "Meet The Candidates" event at 1:30pm in the Shandaken Town Hall on Rt 28 in Allaben. The moderator will be Cindy Bell of the League. The audience will write questions on index cards and are instructed not to include statements, personal remarks or issues. The moderator will select the questions, clarify for better understanding and edit to avoid inappropriate or repeat issues. It is important in this small town that we all take the time to find out the views of the people we are electing. See you Saturday at the town hall!!!

Meet the Candidates
Sponsored by the Phoenicia Times
Moderated by the League of Women Voters
Saturday October 17th, 1:30pm
Town Hall

Lutenist Carver Blanchard At ESRM

WCA member and ESRM President Dakin Morehouse sent me this message to announce the benefit concert this coming Saturday at the Railway Museum. Check it out. I think it will be great!!

- LUTENIST -
CARVER BLANCHARD
~ ~ ~
In Concert at the Phoenicia RR Station
October 17 at 7:30

In the 400 year old Renaissance Lute playing tradition
Carver adapts 19th century music ranging from the
Rousing to the Sentimental in his repertoire
At this benefit for the Empire State Railway Museum.
Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 - $5.00 donation

70 Lower High Street, Phoenicia, NY

Carver was Lutenist for the Smithsonian Institute, teaches at Wesleyan University and is director of the Fernwood Center for Performing Arts in Elka Park, NY

Directions to the Phoenicia RR Station .. (Empire State Railway Museum)

Driving West on Rt 28 - Take the First Right (1/4 mile) after the Phoenicia Diner (on your left) This is Lower High St and the Phoenicia RR Station is the first building on your Right.

From Main St. in Phoenicia - Turn South (toward the river) on Bridge St. Cross the bridge AND the RR track turning immediately Left onto Lower High St. The Phoenicia RR Station is the 3rd building on your Left.